Striker who knows what it's like to play for both Alex Ferguson and the new Old Trafford boss says fans have to be patient

"Obsessed": Saha has seen David Moyes' drive at first hand (Photo: Reuters)

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Louis Saha is backing David Moyes to justify his 'Chosen One' tag at Manchester United - but warned he is "fighting against time."

Along with Wayne Rooney, Phil Neville, Tim Howard and Darron Gibson, former France striker Saha belongs to a select group who have played under both Moyes and Sir Alex Ferguson, his predecessor at the Old Trafford giants .

The last time a United dynasty came to a close - with the end of Sir Matt Busby's era - Wilf McGuinness and Frank O'Farrell presided over a sudden decline which culminated in relegation, under Tommy Docherty.

But Saha, who scored 42 goals in 76 starts under Fergie at United, and another 35 in 78 under Moyes at Everton, believes the crown jewels are in safe hands at Old Trafford this time - as long as patience holds sway over knee-jerk reactionaries polluting the phone-in airwaves.

He said: "I have no doubt that Moyes will be a success at Manchester United - but there is also no doubt he is fighting against time.

"When you are in his position, it comes down to how long it will take to put his team together, find the right tactics and get the best out of them. He is driven by an obsession to develop players, and that is always a good basis for success.

"One thing which does not change, by moving from Everton to United, is his desire to win or the quality of his commitment. There was no fear in the man to start again, to build a new team.

"He is obsessed with working hard every day, working hard to improve the mentality of his players and every aspect of their game.

"To develop players, and make them the best they can be, you need to demand that of yourself. He is a tough manager - and that includes being tough on himself - and that is an asset for any club.

"United will benefit from that approach, and it may take time to gel, but I'm confident he will succeed."

(Photo: Getty)

Saha, 35, was "surprised" when Ferguson retired at the end of last season, and admitted Moyes was "not the first choice in my head" to take over.

But he acknowledges that his former Everton boss has the authority, and pedigree, to prove a worthy pick.

Speaking at the Leaders In Football conference at Chelsea's Stamford Bridge ground, he added: "Moyes has fire in his eyes and, as well as being a humble person, he is also very honest and at Everton he knew how to motivate his players.

"You need to have that right combination to find the fire inside a player, and he does that well.

"I am a competitor, and my main target when I started a new season was always to win something, so it was one of my biggest disappointments to lose an FA Cup Final with Everton - especially after scoring the fastest goal ever in the final.

"I wish I had scored the winner in the last 25 seconds instead of putting us ahead in the first 25 seconds, but I'm sure David Moyes was even more frustrated because that was as close as he came to winning a trophy.

"There is no doubt in my mind that Moyes will win trophies for United. They are always looking to win the Premier League, and obviously they will be contenders, but maybe the first two years it will be difficult and it will take time for them to peak.

"As great a manager as he was, Sir Alex Ferguson went three years without a trophy at first, and that's why they may have to accept that David Moyes is fighting against time."